Work suspension at giant sinkhole continues as a precaution

It was
announced that work continues to be suspended within the berms and
directly on the massive sinkhole in south Louisiana just as a precaution while
new safety protocols are finalized.

Work was
put on hold after several more trees were swallowed Monday by the sinkhole in
Assumption Parish. It happened less than a week since the last slough-in and
just added to the size of the more than 24-acre sinkhole.

The
sinkhole opened up in August 2012 and was roughly 1/24 of the size it is now.
The sinkhole formed when an underground salt cavern collapsed.

The
Assumption Parish Police Jury released video of the two slough-ins on August 21
and August 22. A large area of trees was swallowed whole and the entire event
was caught on camera.

Officials
set sinkhole activity at code three, the highest alert level. No work will
be allowed on the sinkhole or within containment berms, though no elevated
levels of seismic activity have been detected since last week's slough-in.

Monday's
sinking occurred along the eastern edge of the sinkhole and is believed to be
related to trees sinking in the sinkhole last week.

Usually a
slough-in occurs after the sinkhole burps. Burps occur when air and gas from
deep in the sinkhole bubbles up. It can cause debris and an oily substance to
float to the top.

It has been
a year since hundreds living near the giant sinkhole were forced from their
homes.

Bubbles
were spotted in Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou in June 2012. Two months later, the
ground opened up and left what is now a 24-acre sinkhole. Residents were
evacuated and the most affected residents began receiving weekly checks from
Texas-Brine in the amount of $875 per week. Texas Brine owns the salt cavern
that collapsed, causing the sinkhole.

On August
2, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced the state
will be suing Texas Brine for environmental damages caused by the failed Texas
Brine cavern.

On August
18, about 25 trees were swallowed by the sinkhole in an area measured at 50' x
25'.

Parish and
Texas Brine officials agree the situation is far from over. 3D seismic surveys
show the sinkhole itself it beginning to slow and stabilize, but the recovery
is focused on another danger; natural gas gathering underneath a nearby
aquifer.

The Assumption Parish Police Jury reported the area west of Grand Bayou along LA 70 is no longer under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders because of the sinkhole, with the exception of a residential area near Bayou Corne.

The Assumption Parish Police Jury reported the area west of Grand Bayou along LA 70 is no longer under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders because of the sinkhole, with the exception of a residential area near Bayou Corne.

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